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About Political Science

Welcome to the University of Houston-Downtown

A public urban university, located in the heart of Houston, UH-Downtown can help you realize your dream of a college education through quality programs. UHD serves both the traditional and nontraditional student with small classes taught by faculty who are highly respected scholars. At UHD the emphasis is on teaching excellence and student success.

The Department of Social Sciences

The political science degree program is part of the Department of Social Sciences. The Social Sciences is an interdisciplinary department – our faculty teach courses and conduct research in seven academic areas: anthropology, geography, history, philosophy, political science, psychology, and sociology. Currently, we offer seven degrees in our department: History (BA), Philosophy (BA), Political Science (BS), Psychology (BS), Sociology (BS), and Social Sciences (BA or BS).

The department’s educational philosophy emphasizes the importance of students’ educational and professional growth both inside and outside of the classroom. We recognize the diversity of goals in our student body so our degree programs strive to provide students with: a variety of opportunities to think deeply and critically about human phenomena, a readiness for graduate and professional school, job skills relevant to their career aspirations. In all cases, our degree programs provide a strong, broad-based background in the liberal arts, which we see as a requirement in the ever-changing social and political environment.

Among the essential components of the department’s mission are community-based research and public service, and these constitute integral parts of each of our degree programs. All are specifically designed to develop skills in research and analysis. Furthermore, we strongly encourage our students to engage in internships for course credit, volunteer service activities, or other degree-related work experiences in which classroom theories can be applied to ‘real-life’ problems.

Flexible schedules and class options, including live interactive television, videotape and computer modem, make degrees available to students at locations throughout the metro area. UHD participates in partnerships with the UH System at Sugar Land, the UH System at Cinco Ranch, and the University Center in the Woodlands to enable students to complete there degrees close to home or work. Additionally, the Weekend College and evening classes put a degree within reach for students with fulltime jobs.

Come visit us, or call and talk with us, about your interests and plans. Our telephone number is 713-221-8014 and our office is located on the South side of the 6 th floor. Please come by!